AN OIL rig worker killed when a helicopter crashed into the North Sea will be laid to rest next week.

Gareth Wyn Hughes, from Betws y Coed, was one of 16 men aboard the Super Puma helicopter when it crashed into the sea in fine weather on April 1. None survived.

It comes as the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) issued a preliminary report into the fatal accident.

Investigators said the crash was caused when a “catastrophic failure” in part of the helicopter’s main gearbox led to the aircraft’s main rotor breaking away.

Last night crash investigators grounded two types of the Super Puma and ordered further and “urgent” inspections on helicopter gearboxes following the crash.

In their second initial report issued yesterday the AAIB said it was recommending the new checks “as a matter of urgency to ensure the continued airworthiness of the main rotor gearbox.”

The funeral or Mr Hughes, formerly of Pencraig Uchaf, will be held near his home where he’d lived for the last ten years in Arbroath, Aberdeen.

Mr Hughes, 53, worked as a drilling assistant on the rig. He’d worked offshore for 10 years and lived with his family.

Tributes were yesterday paid by Meirionnydd Nant Conwy MP Elfyn Llwyd, who was born in Betws y Coed, and knows the Hughes family well.

He told the Daily Post: “This is a tragedy for the family and my deepest condolences go to them at this sad time. I hope a detailed inquiry will be carried out which will determine what caused the helicopter to crash.”

Friends in the Conwy Valley village said Mr Hughes had served with distinction in the armed forces and had been involved in the Falklands war in 1982.

One said: “He went to local schools and worked on the family farm before joining up.

“He was in the Marines more than 20 years. I used to see him around the village when he returned home and we’d chat but he never said where he’d been or what he’d been doing.”

He is survived by two older brothers, Raymond and David, his wife Val and daughters Victoria and Kate.

He will be laid to rest after a service at St Vigeans Church, Arbroath on Tuesday. Donations in his memory are being accepted for Help the Heroes.

Earlier this week a memorial service was held for those killed in the crash

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond were joined by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the service at the Kirk of St Nicholas in Aberdeen.

About 1,000 mourners, including family, friends and workers from the oil platform attended the service.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (Easa) requires all European Super Puma helicopter operators to conduct the new checks by next Friday.